ATTN: American Pit Bull owners.

[Big Red]

Here's pics of my boy(Cashus) and Girl(Neish).



Neish is weighing in @ 35lbs and is 6 Months Old.

Cashus is 5 years old....I haven't weighed him in ages but i'm assuming since his last weigh in he's about 90 lbs.

Hope you like um!

 

[bestponymilo]

I hope I'm not repeating too much

Honestly, I think you should get an older dog. That way you already know it's personality, how much training it has, if it's animal aggressive, etc (hopefully the rescue or pound where you get him has screen him)

While puppies are cute, you must remember the basic breed trait that has been breed into these dogs for hundreds of years--they were bred to bring down and kill other animals.

No amount of socializing, training, etc will remove this from some Pitbulls. It's not their fault--no more then it's the fault of a Greyhound that chased down a rabbit. But it's something you have to be aware of. These types of dogs need VERY experienced owners that have A LOT of time to put into them. So, while the dog might be dog aggressive, it needs to be well trained enough to listen to it's owner in that "time of temptation".

The last thing we need is another "Pitbull kills Neighbor's Poodle" story.

You must also consider the fact that the majority of these dogs are now backyard bred, and what some of these idiot breeders are doing is specifically breeding for human aggression. And for bigger dogs. Traditionally Pits are medium sized, around 40-50lbs--not the huge 100lb monsters you see today. If you do get a puppy, get it from a reputable breeder, not Creepy Joe down the street. Make sure the breeder knows you want a family dog.

Make sure your parents go over their homeowner's insurance--many companies will not allow Pitbulls. If you get caught with one, good bye insurance and good luck getting another policy.

So, my advice--get an older dog that has been screened and will fit into your home situation. If you do go with a Pitbull it is your duty to make sure it is a good representative of the breed.

 

[bestponymilo]

Quote:
I have to disagree. I don't believe you can counteract their natural instincts in some cases. A dog that is dog aggressive, is always going to be dog aggressive. Socialization and training will help, but won't eliminate the problem.

They *are* born that way, just as they've been born that way for centuries. Herding dogs will herd instinctually. Terriers will bring down "game" instinctually. You can refine their instincts with training, but that inherent drive won't ever go away.

 

[Amyable]

Quote:
Oh my goodness, that video made me bawl! Posted it on my facebook page, hopefully lots of people watch.

Never have owned a pit bull (yet), but the first dog I ever walked when I started volunteering at shelters was a beauty of a pit bull named Blossom. I really hope she found a home, what a sweet girl. All the other pits I knew at the shelter where wonderful, too.

It still amazes me that the real stats on dog aggression never make it to the mainstream. My great uncle has a Yorkie that is a pure terror and tries to bite constantly, my parents have a 100-pound GSD that would maim you by accident trying to love you - and yet people are scared to death of the big dog.

Glad to see so many folks come to the defense of big dogs, and so many great stories, too.

I'll always "be owned" by big pooches.
Here's our "dangerous" GSD mix, Aries, with our son.

 

[HiDelight]

I read through this thread and wow it reminds me of the doberman issues in the 70's and then in the 80's the rotties were all bad dogs that ate little children....how strongly people feel about these dogs either way. Personally I adore the breed and agree it is not for everyone but then poodles aren't for everyone either! that is for sure I would not do well with a poodle!

I have spent many years with bullies as our "family" dog ...I keep my dogs in class and they are very social and wonderful animals ..but then I am a crazy terrier person there is NO denying that I do really well with terriers of all types

my brother wrote a very heart wrenching article and won the Genisis award for animal rights about pit bull fighting in LA ..it was horrific to read....

the only dogs I have ever been attacked by have been shepherds... three times in my life they have come after me and one time I was holding a bully on a leash who was ready to give her life for me! she never one moment went aggressive when this dog came flying out of no where ..she went into defensive mode and tossed herself between me and the oncoming train of a dog with teeth flashing at me ..it was horrifying to me but everything turned out ok and no one was hurt ...the other two times I was alone walking and the shepherds came after me ...do I feel all shepherds are dangerous ..nope I think people are careless with thier dogs however! very careless sometimes ..
they are so easy to train! that is the crazy part ! a few nice words and some snacks and you are good to go ..and once they learn something they love to show it off ..Lister our little boy is in classes right now and before the trainer even starts he wants to show her everything he has learned all at one time! ....the thing is they also never forget if you let them slide on anything or if you are at all slack in any areas ..like the yogurt lid I let Phoebe lick one time over a year ago during a tender moment ..omg to this day if I open or eat yogurt she stands there drooling (I have not since given her one because I can not stand begging)

I have not had and aggressive bully (but know there are some sadly and human aggression is something I would not put up with ..dog aggression can be tamed for sure but I would always keep my eyes open and NEVER let my dogs good or not free in a dog park! ever!)..I have to be honest I have had neurotic hysterical bullies ..my sweet baby who died of cancer this past summer had horriific seperation anxiety! OMG it was so embarassing sometimes to have to leave her sobbing and spitting at the Vet's or heaven forbid you got out of the car to check the mail or if she was free in the house and not in her crate while I did something outside! she had to be with us or she was going to give up on life!!! she was such a drama queen!!! ..even if you were right there and got out of the car to talk or something ... she would sob and blow snot all over the windows!

she was fine left with other people in our home but she did not like to go anywhere with out us or stay anywhere with out us even for a moment and that made life hard! if God forbid we had to leave and there were fireworks going off or any loud noises in the area we had to hit her hard with Xanax to keep her calm or she would eat her way out of her crate!

our dogs now are so different that way ..they do not like us to split apart on walks and get a little nuts at that or if I stay in the car and my husband leaves they get upset... but for sure are ok with with other people and us leaving them is not a big deal at all

they can be wierd ..very neurotic and yes they can also be aggressive (I just would not have an aggressive dog to begin with that is why I adopt only from reliable rescues where the dogs have been fostered first)

anyway I found this thread and while I agree and disagree with so many things here I do believe there is potential danger in any dog and if you do not know what you are doing then for safety sake you are better off not getting a pit bull then getting one

if you do opt for one and you are like me ..your world will be a better place because there is no other dog on the planet that will fill a spot they fill

they are btw doing very well with the chickens they consider them a source of food trails and eat the feed ..I was worried about the girl she was so anxious and really wanted at them at first but now is calm as can be ..I would not trust her with them loose but I can take her out as long as she is on one side of a fence she pays no attention to them

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
My daughter had one, Whitey that slept in bed like a baby and was a big old boy when he matured, and never once did that dog look like he was ever in a mad mood. Pit Bulls have been given a terrible name because of breeders who deliberately bred them for fighting. A good friend of mine has two in the house and they are gorgeous friendly girls, and want to play. It's all in how you raise them. I remember back in the 80's when Doberman's had the bad rep, and they are smart good dogs too. Tell your mom that having a puppy won't do anything but good things for all of you~~they are smart, happy, and loyal pets, and their facial expressions are just beyond funny!! Good luck!!!

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Beautiful dogs!!! I love the blacks!! Or anything animal that is black.

 

[dangeralley]

I used to be afraid of pits before I meet my hubby. He had owned them since he was 13 years old, he's 26 now. We got our first after we got married, and now I wouldn't have anything else, they are just the best dogs. I love them so much. We now have to and hopefully a litter on the way. Were breeders. Here are our babies.

Apollo is 3 and a half years old and weights 58-60 pounds.

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And my baby Dixie she's 2 years old and weights about 30 pounds.

 

[sandypaws]

the ONLY GOOD thing i can say about PITs.. is they were bred as fighting dog, NOT as protection dogs.. they are SUPPOSED to be horrible "guard dogs" because they are SUPPOSED to be people friendly.. they are NOT supposed to be human aggressive at ALL!!!
in the RIGHT hands, with extensive training they can make a good dogs... and be very selective on WHERE you buy them.. if the breeders breed them for "protection dogs" do not buy from them.. they are screwing up the breed and do not know what they are doing..

but after have several of my pets (and friends pets) killed by PITs.. i can say NOTHING else GOOD about them...
i KNOW it is the OWNERS fault,, but let PITS kill a few of your best friends and see if you change your mind...

 

[sandypaws]

i DO own "hard" breeds.... AKITAS have a "bad wrap" too... i know it is just training and socializing....
and now i have karelian beardogs.... and POODLES!!! hahahah killer poodles

i was attacked by a pitbull as a kid.. the dog clampped onto my thigh and hung on and pulled on my leg like it was a tug toy.. i had 4 holes and a huge bruise........ but i am NOT afraid of dogs.. or pits..